NON-TECH AT AFROTECH
Non-Tech at Afrotech
Are you in Tech? I am not in tech, but I attended a tech conference anyway. I utilize tech companies every day of my life, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Google, different apps and the list goes on and on. My first tech conference was Afrotech. Afrotech is an experience for black techies, startups, entrepreneurs and investors. I have heard great things about Afrotech over the years so, I decided to participate in the experience for myself as a non-tech.
So you don’t work in tech, so why are you attending a tech conference, here were the objectives as to why I attended Afro Tech as a Non-Tech.
1. Network in the tech healthcare space.
2. Seek tech startup investment opportunities.
3. Experience the culture in our cultivated space in tech.
So as a non tech I was able to accomplish my objectives. First I looked at the Afrotech agenda and identified the sessions I wanted to attend. These are the following sessions that I attended through out the conference.
· Level Up Your Online Brand Presented By Facebook
· Finding Your Lane as Angel Investor
· Fireside Chat Healthcare Technology and Equity
· AfroFuturism Using Tech to Imagine Our Reality
· From Seed to Series A
· Pitch Competition Finals….Congrats Kliithealth
As a non-tech you are interacting with the people that create algorithms and AI that with a click, swipe or stream we are interacting socially, being promoted advertisements, and #Hashtagging our way onto BLACK TWITTER!
The benefit of attending a Tech conference when you don’t work in tech, is the engagement of the people that are just like you at a tech conference but, not in tech. I had the privilege of meeting Bernard Bronner he was on the expo floor standing in front of me at the LinkedIN booth waiting to take a headshot. One of the Bronner Brothers who is in the hair and beauty industry was at Afrotech. Now I am thinking to myself why, would a founder of a hair and beauty company like Bronner Brothers be at a tech conference “He specifically said, “I am here seeking investment opportunities, if I see something that interest me, I will be willing to invest”. BOOM if you are not in the building you will miss those opportunities.
You can also meet HR recruiters the decision makers that select you and get you to the hiring managers. So I rolled on over to the Google Hangout Suite for Happy Hour as after the conference is over like any long work day, you need a drink. So as I was casually standing at the bar, I started talking to Lena McAfee, no clue who she was after talking to her more and linking with her on LinkedIN she is the Head of Staffing and Talent Engagement for Youtube. I met members on her team and we ended up having a really great time. BOOM if you are not in the building you will miss those opportunities to connect.
You can also interact with startups and founders of startups as most founders are their seeking investments, or participating in the Pitch Competition. Congrats to Kliithealth founders Crystal Evuleocha and Cassy Gibson for winning the AfroTech Pitch Cup. Kliithealth is a digital platform connecting people to nurses, OBGYN’s and sex therapists directly from their smartphones. I will potentially be using this app once it launches :-) and I wouldn’t of have known about it, if not attending this conference. If you aspire to be a founder or work for a start up you can educate yourself more on the process of what you will and will not need, listen to other people’s mistakes, mishaps and gain opportunity for knowledge or an investment.
Do I have to convince you anymore that a NON-TECH in TECH can attend better yet needs to attend AfroTech, if not anything else do it for the culture, not to mention the parties, and Sunday Brunch. The atmosphere is ALIVE filled with great vibes, fashion and music. Also you have the opportunity to support black businesses and embrace all of what the city of Oakland has to offer.
XOXO
#BGCU